Report

MAHILA CONGRESS

MADAM, WE SALUTE YOU

New Governors NEW DELHI: Two senior Congress leaders, Shri Balram Jakhar and Shri Raghunand Lal Bhatia, were on 16 June appointed Governors of Madhya Pradesh and Kerala respectively. A Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué said the appointments would take effect from the dates the Governors assumed charge. The two vacancies had occurred after the death of Ram Prakash Gupta in Bhopal and Sikander Bakht in Thiruvananthapuram. Reagan Friend of India: PM NEW DELHI : The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on 8 June visited the U.S. Embassy to sign the condolence book in honour of the former American President, Ronald Reagan, who passed away on Saturday (5 June). In the condolence book, Dr. Singh wrote: "With the passing away of President Reagan, the world has lost a statesman of global renown, who left an indelible mark on history. We salute the memory of a friend of India, who did much to strengthen the bonds which tie together the two largest democracies." The External Affairs Minister, Shri Natwar Singh, also visited the U.S. Embassy to sign the condolence book. Shri Singh who will represent India at the State funeral for Reagan on June 11, wrote, "India has lost a great friend, the United States of America a great leader, and the world a great statesman. My condolences to the family and the people of America." Srikant Jichkar Dies in Accident NAGPUR : Former MP and a former state minister, Dr. Srikant Jichkar died in a road accident near here on 2 June. Prominent Congress leaders of Vidharbha and the state condoled the death of Dr. Jichkar who was very popular in Nagpur. Maharashtra chief minister, Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, personally came here to pay homage to the departed soul. The Congress president, Smt. Sonia Gandhi was represented by AICC secretary, Maj. Ved Prakash who laid a floral wreath on her behalf. Dr. Jichkar was minister of state in the Maharashtra government in 1982-83 and 1986-88 and was also former Rajya Sabha member. Dr. Jichkar had an excellent and distinguished record in education having passed MBBS, LLM and MA in nine subjects and had also cleared the IPS. But he took to active politics to serve the people. Dr. Jichkar’s last rites were performed by his son Yagyavalkya at his native place in Katol, about 50 km from here.

The Mahila Congress feels very proud to have as our leader, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, who has given the unprecendented great sacrifice, proving her not only to be one of the most patriotic Indians and a great stateswoman, but also gaining a place akin to Mahatma Gandhi in the 21st century. Her sacrifice took away the only issue from the BJP, that they would have used to hinder the developmental process. The Congress women along with all Indian women are ecstatic at the victory of the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, which would save the country from the erstwhile NDA government’s corruption, failed policies, petty vested interests and communal-disharmony.

The country was to be blessed with a women Prime Minister after a lapse of twenty years, who’s patriotism, sincerity and dedication to the high ideals of the Congress are unchallenged. Hordes of women from all parts of the country arrived to participate in the rejoicing and to meet their champion. Instead, heartbroken at Smt. Soniaji’s sacrifice, all of them sat down spontaneously on dharna in front of her residence. However, the Mahila Congress, always behind our leader, congratulated her at the selection of Dr. Manmohan Singh, who would uphold the Congress values and take India to the heights it deserves. Several hundred Mahila Congress activists, led by the AIMC president, Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, met and congratulated Smt. Soniaji at her residence.

The Mahila Congress feels proud that befitting to the Congress principles and its history, the women’s reservation is included in the CMP of the UPA. The AIMC president addressed a seminar attended by more than 50 leading women’s organisations on this issue.

The two months before the Lok Sabha election has been hectically active with exposing the NDA and the Sangh Parivar, alongwith pre-election work. As per instructions from the AIMC president, Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, women’s committees upto block levels were formed in each state, to work with the Appointed Mahila Prabhari of the constituency. Training camps upto district level were held in each state. Two women per polling-booth were selected and trained for the elections.

Awareness meetings for women in various zones of all states were held, with massive attendance. The Thane and Andhra meetings were the largest, several thousands strong. The continuous inane ranting by the NDA group personally attacking Smt. Sonia Gandhi in the most dastardly fashion only strengthened the cause of the Congress and our resolve.

There were countless demonstrations, effigy-burnings, etc. all over the country against the NDA and the Sangh Parivar. NGO meetings were addressed by Mahila Congress office-bearers, where unanimous decisions were taken to campaign for candidates of the Congress only which has helped towards upliftment of women and also to work actively against candidates of parties (BJP) whose leaders used unparliamentary language against women leaders. In Uttaranchal alone more than 35 NGOs’ support was achieved by a team led by Dr. Jaya Shukla. During the first half of this period, women were busy exposing the farce of the so-called ‘feel good’ and ‘India Shining’, specially vis-à-vis women.

In the capitals of almost all states of India, simultaneously on March 4th at the eve of the International Women’s Day, Mahila Adalats were convened by the PMCs, with a common charge-sheet against the BJP-led NDA government. All these ‘Adalats’ were attended by 1,000-2,000 women each. A senior Mahila leader went to each state for conducting these Adalats, where there were nine major points raised in the chargesheet. The Delhi state Adalat was presided over by Smt Ambika Soni, with the All India Mahila Congress President, Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, amongst main speakers. Other state Adalats were presided over by Smt. Kumud Ben Joshi, Smt. Renuka Chaudhury, Smt. Margaret Alva, Smt. Jayanti Natarajan, Smt. Jayanti Patnaik, Smt. Krishna Tirath, Smt. Louise Khursheed, etc.

From all states, women collected signatures on scrolls in favour of these adalats, showing solidarity with the Congress under the leadership of Smt. Sonia Gandhi, which were presented by the AIMC president to Smt. Soniaji on her International Women’s Day rally at Guwahati, again attended by unprecendented numbers of NE States’ Congressmen. The martyr day of Shri Bharat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev was celebrated at several centers. March 22nd was declared ‘Virodh Divas’ against the BJP rantings against Smt. Sonia Gandhi, and massive demonstrations were held in all states in capitals and district headquarters against these rantings. An upsurge amongst Indian women towards Smt. Soniaji and Congress was visible. Reports came from various states (Barabanki, etc.), of women holding one-day fasts requesting Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Priyanka to enter active politics.

The recent uncalled-for utterances of Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharati and the BJP against Soniaji, despite two-thirds majority in the House deciding to accept her as Prime Minister, caused a spate of demonstrations all over the country, including a very large demonstration at Bhiwani. As per the AIMC president’s instructions, the PMCs are holding assessment meetings at states where our party did not do well in the Lok Sabha elections. The U.P meeting was held on May 31st.

The Mahila Congress congratulates its vice-president, Smt. Panabakka Laxmi at her being made a minister.